Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
We aim to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. We make unrestricted, core and project grants for charitable work in the UK.
Overview
Total reviews: 2
Median 23 hours
Latest Reviews
Jun 26, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
I found it really helpful that they track your impact based on outcomes. So, my advice would be to think a lot about what your outcomes will be, and how you can measure them. It sounds simple, but they are more outcomes-focused than other funders, and I found that enabled us to be flexible about how we achieved them. For example, after receiving some funding, we switched our delivery partner & made changes to the project, but the outcomes remained essentially the same & therefore Esmee Fairbairn were supportive and understanding.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Gets nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Their eligibility and requirements make it really clear whether a grant application should be made or not. Beyond that, once the funding is in, they\\\\\\'re collaborative and truly understood what we were trying to do.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
If they work with grantees the way they work with us, then I would say they're on the right track.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Empathises very well with a project's vision and doesn't try to change the intervention without valid data or insights. Feels like we can tell them everything without having to feel like we'll be judged. That's so important in a funder.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Once a project is funded keep doing what you do - stay interested and work collaboratively to see how a network can be brought to help a fundee.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, it's very helpful to understand your perspective on outcomes.
Jun 26, 2019
Other - applied in 2019
If Esmee have the time, definitely go and talk to them. They were brilliant and very useful in guiding what would and would not fit their priorities and explaining the process.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Gets nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Being personable, open and honest
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep being accessible and open
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We don't always have the time to speak to applicants, but it's great to see that a conversation at the 2nd stage is valuable.
Jun 25, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
I enjoyed working with this foundation.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
.
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Jun 26, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
I found it really helpful that they track your impact based on outcomes. So, my advice would be to think a lot about what your outcomes will be, and how you can measure them. It sounds simple, but they are more outcomes-focused than other funders, and I found that enabled us to be flexible about how we achieved them. For example, after receiving some funding, we switched our delivery partner & made changes to the project, but the outcomes remained essentially the same & therefore Esmee Fairbairn were supportive and understanding.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Gets nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Their eligibility and requirements make it really clear whether a grant application should be made or not. Beyond that, once the funding is in, they\\\\\\'re collaborative and truly understood what we were trying to do.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
If they work with grantees the way they work with us, then I would say they're on the right track.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Empathises very well with a project's vision and doesn't try to change the intervention without valid data or insights. Feels like we can tell them everything without having to feel like we'll be judged. That's so important in a funder.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Once a project is funded keep doing what you do - stay interested and work collaboratively to see how a network can be brought to help a fundee.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, it's very helpful to understand your perspective on outcomes.
Jun 26, 2019
Other - applied in 2019
If Esmee have the time, definitely go and talk to them. They were brilliant and very useful in guiding what would and would not fit their priorities and explaining the process.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Gets nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Being personable, open and honest
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep being accessible and open
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We don't always have the time to speak to applicants, but it's great to see that a conversation at the 2nd stage is valuable.
Jun 25, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
I enjoyed working with this foundation.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
.